How to Improve Mobile App Performance

Is your app in tip-top shape? How is the performance of your mobile app?

It’s pretty hard to believe that it’s been almost 3 decades since the first known mobile applications were developed back in 1993. Today, there’s an app for just about everything. 

And it’s no surprise why – apps create brand awareness, build trusting relationships with customers, and increase revenue when done right. Strictly staying in the “safe zone” of basic features and controls is no longer enough for businesses. In order to strengthen conversions and brand loyalty, companies are looking to improve their apps while making sure their apps are always appealing to their users’ behaviors and values. 

Signs Your Mobile App Performance Needs Improvement

The app industry isn’t going anywhere. It continues to grow and change daily… And the same can be said for its users. Their needs, wants, problems, and interests are always motivated differently as the digital era becomes a more prominent part of their lives. 

Making sure an app is functioning, secure, and catering to its users’ needs is imperative for businesses in 2022. Let’s take a look at the 5 best practices for improving your mobile app this year…

5 Best Practices to Improve An App

1. Start First By Improving Overall Performance + Speed 

Apps that run slowly are a big red flag to users. And in this day and age, an app shouldn’t have sketchy glitches from the get go.

To keep up with the competition, companies need to implement performance improvements (on a regular basis) including these speed and load performers…

• Adjust how much data is used to download the app.
• Improve how much battery is used to run the app.
• Increase speed and performance for how quickly and smoothly the app runs.

Doing this with a mindset on the future will help to always stay ahead of the technology and trends, while still serving the users what they want the most. 

2. Improve The Experience Based On User Behavior

The best way to make step number 1 above happen is to include practice number 2. Companies should always be analyzing their users’ behaviors in order to see what is working within an app and what could use improvement, then adjusting the app as a whole to keep up with trends and make it more enticing for the audience. 

Without knowing this data – thus overlooking improvements that could be influenced by this data – an app may not reach the right market and could miss out on huge opportunities to increase revenue. Some of the best businesses are enhancing app experience by: 

• Removing non-core features that don’t drive a user to take action.
• Including intuitive navigation to make moving across an app familiar and simple.
• Monitoring user behaviors such as how long they stay on a page, scrolling habits, and even hesitations.  

3. Update Security 

Device security is imperative to users. They want to know how an app is securing their data and what they are allowing, especially if they are going to be downloading an app to their mobile device. 

How you approach your app’s security can help to earn their trust and still provide safe security. A few ways to improve your app’s security include: 

• Refining the data you collect and store. Don’t be that app that asks to have access to everything if you don’t need to. 
• Being transparent with your users. Keep them in the loop about security changes or updates.  
• Allowing them to have control over their security and what you do with it. Let them have choices within their settings or ask their permission regarding certain data collection. 
• Secure your servers, too. If your app communicates between platforms and services, keep these security features updated as well.
• Having two-way authentication or Face ID sign in options 

The Small Business Development Center offers more here about securing your app.

4. Seek Outside Expert Feedback

When in the market to innovate, it’s always a good idea to get a second pair of eyes on the product. This might be through an agency outside of the company, such as EX Squared.

At EX Squared, we look at a problem like a Rubik’s Cube. We dissect the problem, innovate for solutions and implement effective strategies to make sure all the sides and colors line up perfectly. Having this outside expert perspective can improve not only design and branding, but can also boost the app’s ability to drive customers to take action. 

Ready to get the right eyes on your app? Get in touch with EX Squared to start innovating and improve your mobile app performance. 

 5. Invest In Analytics

Google Analytics still remains to be the most popular and trustworthy analytics service and is a solid tool for both iOS and Android applications. Users can gain access for free and spend anywhere from five bucks to several hundred dollars a month depending on their needs. 

There are six Realtime reports in Google Analytics: 

1. Overview
2. Locations
3. Traffic Sources
4. Screens
5. Events
6. Conversions

If investing in practice #4, a product innovation agency can help to avoid tunnel vision, discover which solution is best for the company, and apply them to start implementing this practice.

An app reflects a brand and users’ response to it. Companies must stay vigilant about enhancing app features and responding to user needs. Cheers to improving in all business aspects in 2022!

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